Fastest Known Podcast

There were 1,308 FKTs set in Europe in 2020.  A panel of experts nominated 23 of the best, then they voted.  Here is the #3 Woman and the #3 Man; next week we hear from the Top two’s.

We start with an Introduction to the European FKT with Matt Lefort, a native of France, who’s been living in Andorra for 12 years, and just moved to Norway. He offers good insights that set the stage.

Listen to the amazing stories, directly from the people who did them! Wrapping up the 2020 Fastest Known Time Of the Year Award for North America in this order:

Sabrina Stanley - #2 Female - Nolan's 14
2d 0hr 49m; 100mi; 42,000'

Joe McConaughy - #2 Male - Long Trail
4d 23h 54m; 273mi; 65,370'

This is a big podcast!  We hear stories from who the voters selected as their most inspirational FKTs.  In this order:

Adam Kimble - #5 Male - Tahoe Rim Trail
1d 13h 12m 15s; 170mi, 26,913'

Alyssa Godesky - #4 Female (tie) - Adirondack 46 High Peaks
3d 16h 16m; 160mi; 67,412'

There were 2,784 FKTs set in North America in 2020 - yikes!  How do we sort them out, and find the coolest ones?  Hillary and Alex are here to help.

"Women set FKTs this year that were the fastest Overall - Hillary"

"There were 10 different FKTs on just the Wonderland Trail this year - Alex"

"Joey's Unsupported time on Nolan's beat the Supported times of some of the best runners anywhere"

YOU asked, and the experts answered!  These are just some of the questions from our listeners - - -

What type of sun protection is best?

"I'm a fan of covering up" - Mary

"A hooded shirt is the way to go" - Andrew

Is "Sunscreen the New Margarine?" - Buzz

How much of a difference do trekking poles make and how to know when to use them?

Sean McCoy has been with the Gear Junkie since this excellent website was started 14 years ago - he knows gear!  Need a holiday gift idea?  Wondering what you need for your next FKT?  Sean has been there, seen that - what are his recommendations?

"I'm an adherent to the 'buy once, cry once' philosophy - if it's a sport you're committed to, get the best now, and then use it until it falls apart."

Oldies But Goodies

Four short highlights from Season One you may have missed or need to hear again.  The best 10 minutes from each!

Episode 1:  Tony Krupicka on the Longs Peak Duathlon (our most listened-to podcast ever).  Free-soloing is all about "how you feel".

"Sometimes being successful means just getting back to the car. Alive.”

Simple question?  Let's hear answers from 3 people who should know:

• Peter Bakwin - Co-Founder; 26 FKTs (9th overall)
• Marcy Beard - 32 FKTs (4th overall)
• Jason Hardrath - 82 FKTs (going for 100!)

Peter:

1. The route resonates with you - personal expression.
2. Do the homework - practice on it
3. If it's a new route, convince us why others will want to do it
4. Consider what might go wrong - then be flexible when something else does

"Training is the fun part."

Allison Mercer is our Social Media Coordinator.  She and Ben Mercer met on the trails, she admired his FKTs, so they got married and now have set some together!  In October they did the Georgia segment of the AT together, Unsupported, finishing it in "a Michael Jordan time of 23:23!"

Allison also answers all your questions submitted on the Contact Form.  So we quizzed her on the spot with actual questions that have been submitted!  How did she do?

Hello, just wondering if there is an FKT for just the Blue Ridge Parkway 469 mile ride? 

What is an FKT Challenge? (Michael started one, and their Award Party is November 15).

"These are the routes we like to run.  They are quite technical.  You can never be too competitive, because they are very rocky and steep, but that’s what we consider a good FKT route."

"We had 100 people trying one route in one month."

How do tourist boards help create FKT routes?